header-logo header-logo

Changing tack: beyond damages in M&A disputes

22 November 2024 / Yasseen Gailani , Megan Hiluta
Issue: 8095 / Categories: Features , Commercial , Procedure & practice , Damages
printer mail-detail
197683
Yasseen Gailani & Megan Hiluta consider the advantages of the little-used remedy of ‘specific performance’
  • Specific performance is a powerful yet rarely awarded remedy in English law M&A disputes.
  • Considering whether you want it available at the time of drafting the share performance agreement can greatly assist in obtaining the remedy should a dispute arise.
  • Acting quickly, and seeking specialist advice, is critical if specific performance is the remedy sought.

When most people think of litigation, and specifically the remedies sought in contractual disputes, the first, and sometimes only, remedy that comes to mind is damages. Yet there are many other remedies that can be sought. In this article we focus on the relatively rare, yet powerful, remedy of specific performance in the context of M&A disputes under English law, although some of the principles may have wider application.

What is specific performance?

Specific performance is an equitable remedy by which a court orders a defaulting party to comply with (or ‘specifically perform’)

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
David Lammy, Ellie Reeves and Baroness Levitt have taken up office at the Ministry of Justice, following the cabinet reshuffle
back-to-top-scroll